We often think of satire as being some sort of twisted version of the reality, a parody of the 'real' thing. It won't be wrong to state that many a times we do not think of a literary or cinematic work to be having satirical content unless it consciously mocks at something : either a person, an institution or an idea. And to achieve that, many a times writers use absurd elements in their plots. And we accept that as a legitimate plot-device. Probably because we have this perception that being a satire, it has to be absurd and far from truth, and there is constantly a 'feeling' in us that 'reality' is something really dark and dirty and rough and that it is just too mature to be having any comical side to it.

So anything even remotely humorous has to be unreal and absurd.

In light of the above arguments, how refreshing it is to come across a new and revealing perspective shared by author Manu Joseph, in an interview recently, on the concept of humour and satire. This is what he had to say :

"One important thing I believe about humour is that at its core is accuracy. When you’re extremely accurate about something, it becomes funny."

So, in effect, he contends that if you are being uncompromisingly precise about something, to the fullest of detail without leaving anything, it becomes funny. Must say it is a really interesting viewpoint and sort of changes the way we 'believe' a satire or a work of comedy in general should be ! And if we think about it carefully there might be some merit in the argument too.

A classic satire such as 'Netaji Kahin' or 'Raag Darbaari' could be examples that actually lend support to the above point. In these works, the authors don't use a mocking tone throughout the narrative, to cater to our notions of what a satire should be. The tone, most of times is matter-of-fact without any conscious emphasis given on mocking. Nor is there, I doubt, any absurdity or 'unreality' included in the plots. I don't know if this is a representative sample of the genre or not but at least in these two cases the arguments of Manu Joseph seem to hold true. And effectively, it shows that life and 'reality' don't necessarily have to have a constant scowl on their faces, that they can possess a funny bone too. :)

There are such fascinating characters and situations in this novel that clearly show the true abilities of the author Surender Mohan Pathak and proves that he is much more than just a pulp-writer.

Firstly, there is the deliciously complex and layered character of elder brother (Neelesh, a cop). He seems so real , his mannerism and behaviour so rooted to reality that I dare say this is the most real portrayal of a cop in a novel that I have read so far. He is not a flag bearer of bombastic heroism, neither is he a daredevil anti-hero sort of a character. He is just a plain, pragmatic man helplessly stuck in the cobwebs associated with the job of a policeman. He is corrupt, true; but no more than the cop next to him and not because he likes the perks associated with it but because its the way of the trade.
On the other hand, there is the superb character of his younger brother, who has a touch of sweet naivety and idealism. And Neelesh is is genuinely concerned for him, not because he hates his idealistic sermons but because he knows it could get him into troubles that he can never foresee himself. That's it, no more, no less.
For what they were worth, because of his links with the mob and nefarious politicians, Neelesh does get into a hell of a mess while putting his brother's life in jeopardy too. The dilemma that he faces, the almost unanswerable questions that he is forced to ponder upon, remind us of Arjuna in Mahabharata. But the characters never turn into archetypes. They remain what they are.
And one is bound to seriously start rooting for them, hoping that they could find a way out of the mess.

Although the end is a little too convenient for a novel that has such a great buid up, still it is a worthy read just for the tough moral questions that it raises through the pro(?)tagonist and for reinstating one's believe in the fact that Pathak ji is still holding the flag high for the Hindi pulp fiction genre.

dedicated to all such students who walk long distances to lecture halls with a resolution to learn something new and a hope of gaining some knowledge....only to see their dreams shattering and beliefs diminishing !!

Freedom at Midnight : recollections of a really epic experience.

An excellent example of how reading can be a life-changing experience.

Very rarely comes a defining moment that changes history to the extent of being un-recognizable and very rarely comes a book that changes your life, perceptions and everything that you presumed to be true once and for all. Independence of India was the defining moment in modern India and this book by the author duo Dominique Lappierre and Larry Collins on the before and after-math of the same is the defining book in my life.

Honestly speaking, not even the most lauding words of mine can do justice to this beautiful, poignant and soul-stirring historical documentary cum novel in which we glide through the charming yet terrifying history of our own nation during the period of 1939-49, stupefied, terrorized and wide-eyed in awe and chill, as the author duo take us on a once-in-a-lifetime kind of ride that is bound to change our very perceptions of history, beliefs and ideologies regarding the very country and society that we inhabit.

Frankly, never has a single book amazed and intrigued me so much, while being so educative and informative.

The most astounding achievement of this book is that it rips out the aura of myths that have agglomerated around our political figures associated with the freedom movement, and humanizes each and every one of them, while being totally neutral, and being absolutely honest with the facts.

Every Indian has grown up on a staple of myths and legends associated with our freedom fighters. These fables have a tendency to sweep history in very broad strokes, ignoring much and instead forcing us into believing generalised facts such as those about all Britishers/foreigners being diabolic, all freedom fighters being pious to the hilt and many others. Well, be rest assured that this book will end up ripping out each of those notions and burning them to cinders.

Another fascinating aspect of this book is its characterization of Mahatma Gandhi, so real yet surreal at times. It shows you in clear light, the real essence of being the father of a nation. It shows you what it meant to be one M.K.Gandhi. You are bound to bow in humility and fall in love with this mahatma, whether you have read good or bad or nothing about him before.

The other facets of the Indian independence story like the Kashmir problem and the issue of princely states have also been dealt in a very detailed manner too and are wonderful read on their own accord themselves.

There is also a very horrifying and realistic account of the tragedy of partition and its bloody aftermath. Through this piece, the author-duo have delved into some of the darker sides of the prominent figures of that era and the whole populace as a whole. This portion is the most gut-wrenching one and you are left to wonder in amazement at the sheer magnitude of craziness and horror of the whole episode. One gets to know why this is the one deep blemish that has stained the minds of every subsequent generation on the both sides of the border.

This book is recommended for anyone interested in knowing our freedom fighters, freedom movement, the Raj, the Maharajas and the Mahatma very substantially, if not wholly or in full measure.

Above all, this is recommended for every Indian who wants a tryst with the quandary that is INDIA.

[ Lastly, I am sorry if I ended up writing a eulogy instead of an honest critical review, but such is the place of this book in my life, that it is almost impossible for me to view it in a critical way. ]

About Me

Voracious reader. Dreamy eyed with love of all things vintage and science and hate for bigotry.
I also like to engage in regular cynical musings ( you know, the 'Oh! Whither are we going ?!' sort of stuff ) and derive a lot of pleasure from mocking any and everything under the sun.
मिज़ाज थोड़ा शायराना, ज़्यादा सिनिकल है ।